Quantum computing

Given the news from Google, here’s some helpful context in deciding whether this is a big deal or not.

  1. Qubits utilise quantum mechanics and can literally exist in superposition, allowing them to be both ‘on’ and ‘off’ simultaneously.
  2. Quantum computers excel in solving tasks classical computers cannot, like complex simulations and optimisations.
  3. Classical computers are more efficient for basic arithmetic and general-purpose tasks.
  4. Quantum computers rely on classical systems for tasks like control, error correction, and data management. Transistor density in traditional computers is not a bottleneck for quantum computing.
  5. Quantum computers can simulate molecular interactions, enabling breakthroughs in fields like drug discovery.
  6. Quantum computers have successfully simulated small molecules, validating their potential for real-world quantum behaviour.
  7. Simulating highly complex systems remains beyond current quantum capabilities.
  8. Large-scale quantum computers are decades away, with significant technical hurdles to overcome.
  9. Quantum computers complement classical systems rather than replacing them.
  10. Simulating a 50,000-atom system would require tens of thousands of qubits. Today’s largest quantum computers have less than 2K qubits. A glass of water contains 25 septillion atoms. Now, consider how big a computer would need to be to create a simulation like The Matrix.
  11. Scaling qubits and maintaining quantum coherence is one of quantum computing’s major challenges.
  12. Scaling seems impossible today but In the 1960s, we would’ve been shocked to learn that transistors, once measured in millimetres, would shrink to the nanometre scale today. For example, transistors in the 1960s were around 10,000 nanometres, whereas modern processors feature transistors as small as 3 nanometres—over 3,000 times smaller.
  13. The brain operates more like a classical computer despite being governed by quantum physics at its lowest level.
  14. Quantum effects influence classical computers but are not exploited for computation as in quantum systems.
  15. Quantum advancements are much slower than Moore’s Law for classical computing due to technical complexity.
  16. Quantum computing’s primary promise is simulating nature accurately, particularly at molecular and atomic levels.
  17. Quantum systems rely on error correction and stabilisation techniques, increasing qubit requirements further.
  18. Quantum computing would enhance AI in optimisation, data analysis, and solving computationally intense problems.

Based on this, I view Google’s achievement as something like the 100th step of a 100,000-step journey towards something truly world changing, so I’m not buying Google stock this week.